THE INDIA EXPERIENCE
Floating on a small barge at sunset listening to the boatman sing. Perfect moment.
The dilemma - YES. were back from INCREDIBLE INDIA. We really, truly had some incredible experiences. We saw extraordinary things, witnessed what is too hard to articulate; felt and observed contrasts that challenged our life values and expectations. All 8 of us were moved to your very core. We cried, laughed and were often just plainly overwhelmed.
Of course we are VERY excited to share our experiences with you, our friends and family. The whole adventure has changed us and we feel different but the problem is, everyone else is exactly the same. And not only that, they think that we are just the same, too.
So how can we relate?
We know that people only want to spend so much time (not much really) hearing stories and looking at pictures. They probably savour the ‘worst bits’ which isn't the go ahead for a two hour discourse. So we need to refrain. No matter how fascinating, incredible and exciting our experience was at the time – we were there and they were not. Not being present makes a difference to how you feel and nobody likes to feel left out.
India is inexplicable and not really a ‘regular holiday’ destination. A priceless opportunity that isn’t necessarily available or even appealing to everyone (even though we might wish it was).
So what can we do?
We notice that we have begun new things such as breaking into song, eating a lot of curries, wagging our heads, raising our arms, smiling for no reason and wanting to meditate more often. He he. Just some of the ways in which we try to integrate our new knowledge into our life at home. Sadly, we can’t bring it all back with us nor can we share it all.
One of the most exciting things about travelling in a group through India is being exposed to different tastes, perspectives, and practices. Sometimes when we return this means re evaluating our own life and our appreciation of what we take for granted – homes, water & food, safety, family etc and a huge range of things that differ greatly between our world to that of the streets in Kolkata or Delhi.
So we have sponsored more children at a school in Sarnath in the impoverished state of Bihar, because a small thing DOES make a BIG difference. (no need to go on about it – just do it).
It can be challenging to re-settle back into our ‘old life’ and perhaps we never will. But we keep alive that eagerness to learn and explore and feel in the moment here at home knowing that at any time things can change. Most of all we look to live, love, laugh, and be grateful for our family and friends and all that we are blessed with. We know that there really is only today.